Bush, C. T.

BUSH, ARNOLD, BROWN

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 8/14/2020 at 13:58:52

C. T. Bush, section 25, English River Township, is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Fayette County, Ohio, May 25, 1841, and is the son of Absalom and Violet (Arnold) Bush, both natives of Ohio, but who removed to English River Township, this county, in the fall of 1846.

The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent on the farm with his parents, and in attending the common schools. He followed farming until the breaking out of the Civil War. On the 15th of July, 1861, being engaged in mowing the field, he stuck his scythe under the swathe of the hay, and enlisted in Co. H, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf., and went to Burlington, Iowa, where he was sworn into service. He remained there three weeks, and then went to St. Louis, from there to Jefferson Barracks, thence back to St. Louis to the arsenal, where he remained but two days, and then went to Iron Mountain or Pilot Knob, and was sent on detached duty, Companies H and G going to Potosi, Mo., and guarding the lead mines there to keep the enemy from obtaining lead. They staid in the mountains six weeks, and then joined the regiment at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, from which place they went to Bird’s Point and down the river to Belmont, and here took part in the first fight. In this fight our subject was wounded in the left shoulder and was sent to Mound City Hospital, Ill., but only remained there three weeks and went back to St. Louis, received a furlough of two months, and returned home.

At the expiration of his furlough Mr. Bush rejoined his regiment at Ft. Donelson, in March, 1862, and went up the Tennessee River to Pittsburg Landing, where he took part in that bloody engagement. From there the regiment went to Corinth, and participated in the siege of that place, and then, under Halleck with a force of 100,000 men all in good condition, followed the enemy to Booneville, Miss., thence back to Corinth, and were then engaged in guard duty on the Mobile & Ohio, and the Memphis & Charleston Railroads for a period of one year, or until 1863, participating in many scouting expeditions and marches through the surrounding county. It took part in the second battle of Corinth, and assisted in driving the enemy out, and was then ordered on the march to Pulaski, Tenn., then south to Prospect, Tenn., where it did guard duty for three months, and then went to Huntsville, Ala., thence to Chattanooga to Louisville, Ky., where our subject was mustered out after serving for more than three years. After receiving his discharge, on Aug. 18, 1864, he returned home, and resumed the occupation of farming.

Mr. Bush was united in marriage with Miss Alice E. Brown, March 23, 1871. She was born Nov. 7, 1850, in Henry county, Iowa, and is the daughter of Henry and Barbara Ann Brown, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are the parents of six children: Harry A., born April 28, 1872, Effie B., May 23, 1875; Cyrus E., Nov. 28, 1878; Stella M., July 24, 1879; Henry, July 2, 1881, and Minnie A., Aug. 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are members of the Baptist Church.

In 1875 Mr. Bush bought his present farm, consisting of eighty acres on section 25, and twenty-five acres on section 18, which is in a good state of cultivation, with substantial farm buildings. He has acquired all of his property by his own efforts and good management since coming home from his country’s defense. He has in stock a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs, and everything around his place betokens a thorough, practical farmer. He takes an active interest in all matters which relate to the public good, is a Republican of the truest type, and as a neighbor no one is more highly respected than the subject of this sketch.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of C. T. Bush, pages 540-541.